Measure from your C7 vertebrae (the one that sticks out from your neck) down your back in a straight line to the same level as the top of your hip bones. If you're between sizes, it is better to go with the smaller of the two sizes.

Hipbelt Sizing

Men's

Small

Medium

Large

27 - 32in(67 - 80cm)

32 - 37in(81 - 94cm)

37 - 42in(92 - 105cm)

Women's

Small

Medium

Large

25 - 30in(63 - 76cm)

27 - 32in(76 - 88cm)

30 - 35in(88 - 101cm)

Hipbelt Sizing:

These sizes are based upon a measurement 2" (5cm) below the top of the hipbone resulting in 2.5 - 7.5in (6 - 9cm) of separation at the belt front.

Frequently purchased together

Description

For multi-day trips or light-packing weeklong hauls into the backcountry.

Save energy and keep your trek into the backcountry light with the Arc'teryx Men's Altra 65 Backpack. Ideal for multi-day or weeklong backpacking adventures, the Altra expands and compresses to the size you need while also providing the comfort, support, and stability you require when you're slogging up a scree-covered rock field or a steep trail to high-mountain lakes.

first trip with Arc'teryx Altra 65

Comment on Robert's photo »

Best corporate pack

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

What a great backpack. The price is a bit much, but once you get your hands on the bag and especially when you load it up I can see the difference. I got this pack to carry my stuff more comfortably and to also haul a few things for others as well. The ergonomics of the pack are amazing. Just lifting the pack from the handle (never the harness!) is ergonomically better than I've seen. It goes on without the shoulder straps all twisted and jumbled. Also, all the straps are handy to reach and the pack is very adjustable. I really think the lid is amazing. So simple yet such an improvement. The workmanship, materials and layout of this pack are just wonderful. I cannot access the zippered wingman pockets with the pack on, but that doesn't matter to me for I use a hydration bladder. The pockets are great though. The hydration pocket is large enough to accommodate my 3 liter bladder and a flat style 750ml bottle of whatever. I really love that I can have this pack quite overloaded, but I don't look like the the Beverly Hillbillies. Everything gets into the pack and is concealed. The compression straps are EXTREMELY effective as well. Some designs improvements for me would be: ditch the zipper as I have only used it to see if it is practical and it's not for me, the draw cord on the "snow collar" isn't sewn in at the top so when I'm overloaded I have to manually move the draw cord up to the top of the collar before cinching it down. That's about it really. I am sending the pack back because over 65lbs and it starts getting pretty uncomfortable. It's a bit surprising to me for I have no problem getting that kind of wt into the 65 yet the suspension is the same for the 65-85. So, I must go with another pack (Kifaru) that is meant to carry heavy loads better. Even the rep at Kifaru almost had me sold on the Altra. If I could only get my weight down it would be great! If you stay under 55 lbs the pack is wonderful. Over that and you may want to look elsewhere. Great pack!

Have an answer for Nick?

If my back length is 19.5", would it be better to go with the short/reg or the reg/tall? The size chart has the short going up to 20" and the Tall starting at 19". Is it just a coin flip, or would there be a benefit to being on one end or the other end of the scale?

The deciding factor for me would be the desired pack capacity, because you could go with either since you're right on the cusp- the Regular is 3965 - 4453 cu in, while the Tall is 4148 - 4575 cu in-- do you want/need the extra 183 cubic inches?

Feel free to give me a call if you need anything else- I can be reached at 1-800-409-4502 ext 4456, or llabar@backcountry.com.

Have an answer for dave?

First Arcteryx pack

Familiarity:
I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Okay so first off, I cannot say anything about how this holds up over time because I have not yet had the chance to get out for a long hike with it. I will just comment on the build and general features for now and will follow up with comments after using it over a few days time.

Color: Like David Thiel mentions, the color is not the copper look in the picture, but it is more of a brick red. Now I hate red personally but I really actually like the look on this. The build quality seems to be extremely good. I don't see any areas where any stitching is loose or even any uncut strings or so forth like I find with a lot of other products. I guess one would pretty much expect excellent quality given the price though.

Features I personally love: The large external zippered compartment on the center of the back is absolutely awesome! It is large enough to accommodate a variety of items. I tried my tent poles, camera tripod, rain jacket and a few other things and find it makes a really great universal stow-away pocket to keep odd sized items out of the way. The two side pockets are really big as well. The right amount of room where you can easily insert a 32oz. bottle without fighting with the pack. However, I will say that the accessibility (at least for me) is not really all that easy to reach around and easily get to. Not a huge deal really, but I think if the side pockets were gapped a few inches more towards the front and they would be really easy to access. Some people might have a longer reach obviously, so might not affect everyone. I did find one of the side pockets is a great area to put my headlamp and fire kit. My Jetboil Flash also fits nicely inside as well as a GSI Halulite Microdualist kit.

I think another fabulous feature is the double-zippered compartments on the top of the pack. Just that extra bit of foresight that Arc'teryx had to recognize the need for organization in a pack is nice. The padding and unique swivel hip connection is crazy cool and comfortable. This pack made me a fan!

Comment on danp527848's review »

Glad I purchased this pack!

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

I spent a lot of time researching about getting a new pack. I know arcteryx gear is great but not a lot reviews out there. The wife and I were heading away on a life journey. 14 months away from home. I needed a pack that was durable, but also multi purpose. Great for hiking but also for travel. I am so glad I settled on the altra pack. One for the wife, a 62, and a 65 for me. It's an incredibly well thought out pack. So many places to store stuff. Very comfortable with the waist belt design. Yes it might sqeak. But as long as you lube the swivel belt occasionally, no problems. So far we are 6 weeks into the trip. But so glad we got these packs. Sorry backcountry. I bought them somewhere else. But wanted to share the info for interested people.

David, thanks so much for taking the time to measure!! I went ahead and ordered and should be here tomorrow. I am hoping I can condense for lesser loads and fill it full for longer times out. At that price, something universal is expected..

Happy to help. You got lucky: I was doing a gear demo to some new boy scouts today.

I find it's a very versatile pack. I use mine for 2 mile "expeditions" with 10 year olds, then turn around and use it for 15 mile-per-day through hikes with my friends on the AT.

Love this pack. It WILL squeak on you, so do carry the grease if that sort of thing drives you nuts... but that's it's only fault. Other than that I honestly can't imagine anything better and I've used a lot of packs in my life.

Ha! Not a very big deal but I'll be sure to carry grease/tri-flo. Happy to hear it meets its expectations. I am going to be buying Arcteryx jacket if I am happy with this. Something for all-year any suggestions?